With thanks to the effervescent
PhaseOfPlay for the final article in our Team for Kiev series, on the boss, Jurgen Klopp.
Day Twelve - Jurgen Klopp(With apologies to Stephen Foster & Tony Orlando)
<![CDATA[<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/x6E9mCM0ijc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/x6E9mCM0ijc</a>]]>As we approach the final hours before the biggest match in Liverpool history since 2007, against a similarly storied club, we must look at the combination of influences that got the team into this position. Others have talked about the players. Some have talked about the opponents. But it only remains to talk about the man at the helm of this great Champions League run – Jurgen Klopp. A man who is as down to earth as he is tall; as expressive as he is jocular; a champion of football fitness and running without the ball who demands that teams play with skill and finesse also. He is many things, from many different perspectives. And he is the boss.
“I used to dream of Brendan with the light brown hair”You can't talk about Klopp's impact without talking about the man he took over from – in just the same way you can't talk about Kenny's return without talking about Hodgson, or Moyes without talking about Ferguson, etc. And sure, some of you will say “here goes PoP and his altar to all things Brendan”, and that might be true, but it's my party, and I'll cry if I want to!
The mentality that Rodgers brought to the team was to value possession above all, and to hunt the ball down whenever it was lost. This is important, because it meant that the majority of players Klopp found on his arrival already had the ideas in their head for what Klopp wanted, but with a slightly different slant. Whereas Rodgers wanted individual pressure on transition, and resting on the ball looking for openings, in attack, Klopp's only real adjustments to be made were to turn the individual 1v1 pressure into collective “pressing”, and to turn the resting on the ball into a two-phase attack – counter-attack from the point of transition, and if that doesn't work, hold the ball until an opening is created. The problem for Klopp (which was also a problem for Rodgers) was that the “Counter-attack from point of transition” phase requires speed in the attack, and with the loss of Sterling, the injuries to Sturridge, and the acquisition of Benteke coupled with the presence of Balotelli, there was scant legs up front to make any counter-press worthwhile. For the players that Klopp found, though, they at least had a beginner's education in pressing, and a master's education in keeping the ball. What they needed was speed, collectivism, and – despite Brendan's excellent technical coaching ability – they needed “heart.
“I'll give you the world, baby, if you just say you'll be mine”Klopp went about correcting the speed deficit over two seasons, with the transfers of, firstly, Sadio Mane, and then the King of Egypt, Mo Salah. With Firmino being no slouch (although you wouldn't say he has afterburners to spare), and with the addition of the defensive comfort blanket that is Van Dijk and the emergence of Karius as a seriously important piece of the counter-pressing jigsaw (even if his actual goalkeeper skills are not at the elite level yet), the stage was, and is, being set for a sustained period of excellence at Anfield, rather than the peaks and troughs we've been used to since 2010. But the most important piece of the jigsaw is the boss himself. It's often said – in the media, by supporters and on coaching courses – that a team becomes a reflection of their manager. With Rafa, the team was controlled, intelligent, and methodical; with Kenny, it was reserved, defensive, but quick-witted; with Rodgers it was daring, it was attacking, but it didn't handle big pressure too well; with Hodgson, it was just clueless. With Klopp, then, the team is full of vigour, verve, tenacity, and also has a great quality of “So-What-ness” to it, which is a proper reflection on the manager. Guardiola takes over Man City and spends 100s of millions - “So What?” Sadio Mane has to go to the African Cup of Nations – “So What?” Liverpool face the mighty Madrid in a Champions League final - “So What?” And it's this cussedness, this refusal to bow down to perceived “setbacks” which marks this version of Liverpool as possibly being the most dogged Liverpool team since, as far as I'm concerned, the heyday of the Houllier era, where a team which wasn't always as talented as it's opponents, managed to get results through sheer force of will. And that's what is so great about Klopp – he's proper German football. People may talk about “Gegenpressing” and the new German model, but at it's core, the Klopp Vision is about the traditional German football (and sometimes social!) philosophy of just overpowering the other team through tremendous physical and mental force of will. And that, more than anything, is what gives us a chance to upset the apple-cart against Real in the final.
“Beautiful Dreamer, come on and end my misery”A final between Liverpool and Real Madrid is always a marquee occasion. A final between Liverpool and Real Madrid with Klopp being one of the protagonists, though, makes it extra special. Zidane has done very well to keep the Madrid players focused in Europe from season to season, and his two titles is a testament to good man-management, although it's never really clear how much tactics play a part when you have some of the best players in the world available to you, including arguably the world's best player. However, what Madrid don't have is a manic, iron-willed maniac on the touchline, exhorting his charges to give ever-more effort, to make the extra tackle, to sprint the extra yard, and to attack just that one more time. And the Madrid players won't be used to that. They'll expect time on the ball, they'll expect the opposition to cower at the first sight of Ronaldo in full flow, and they'll expect the outcome to be a foregone conclusion as soon as the referee blows the first whistle. But Klopp will have other plans. He'll have the entire Liverpool support carried on his shoulders, and he'll squeeze every last drop of blood, sweat and energy out of the Liverpool players to ensure that they at least give a good account of themselves. And even if the Madrid quality surpasses the Liverpool effort, at the end of the game – after what happened in the Europa League final against Sevilla – there will not be a soul connected to Liverpool who won't be proud of the Liverpool player's efforts. And that will be all because of one man. Rodgers was divisive as an appointment, even before he'd held his first training session. He was never going to win a section of the Liverpool support over, even if he'd won the league that year, or if we'd done something outstanding in Europe. Once people dislike you, it's hard to change their mind. But Klopp's appointment was universally approved. Everyone is behind it, and Klopp is behind everyone. Because at the end of the game against Madrid, it won't be a team and manager and fans thinking the same things. It will be one body, one mind, one heart. And that will be all because of Klopp.
Because Klopp is Liverpool
And Liverpool is Klopp
Allez Allez Allez.
PoP
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Not a full piece, but given the contributions of some of those who won't be taking to the pitch today it seems only fair to recognise the all those who have given to our CL cause...
The bench (well, 7 of them)...
Simon Mignolet
Whilst common wisdom was that Karius spent the early part of the season as our Europe/Cup keeper with Migs taking the league games, it was in fact our Belgian shot-stopper who played in both legs of the playoff against Hoffenheim, saving a vital penalty. A difficult season for Mignolet who seems destined to leave, but backup keepers are only one moment of drama away from being potential heroes, and there's no doubt he'd give his all even if it turns out to be his last game for the reds.
Ragnar Klavan
Our Estonian Viking has made a handful of appearances in the competition, usually as a sub to keep things tight at the back towards the end of games. Very much a backup or support role at the club now, but one Klavan fills enthusiastically, and in doing so is rumoured to be in line for a new contract. Another who mightn't have expected to be in the squad for a CL final but who will throw himself into the breach at a moment's notice.
Nathaniel Clyne
In a rollercoaster season, one of the warm moments was seeing this man return to first team football after missing most of the campaign with injury. At one stage a candidate for England's first choice RB, he now finds himself competing at club level with one of the best youth prospects in years. If he can rediscover the qualities that established him at the club in the years to come, it will be a huge boost. Clyne is a solid RB who could well provide key fresh legs against Madrid's plethora of attacking options.
Alberto Moreno
Just when Moreno seemed to have finally found some form at left back (including some early CL performances), his confidence wobbled and injury followed. He was supplanted by Andy Robertson and has had to watch our talented Scot earmark the position and earn praise aplenty. Still a player who divides opinion but one with his heart in the right place, and who has given himself every chance of a future at the club with some of his improved performances earlier in the season.
Emre Can
It's not yet clear whether Can will make the game, though he was ruled fit in the build up. His seemingly imminent move to Juventus has sullied his reputation amongst some in the fanbase, but they would do well to remember his contribution last season in helping us qualify for the competition (some key goals, including his goal of the season winner at Watford). He also played a significant role in the early stages of the competition including a brace in the home leg of the playoff tie. With no Ox, and with Lallana also coming back from injury, his availability could yet prove a huge boost to Klopp and give us options to turn to, particularly if any of our starting midfielders succumb to injury. And if it is his last game, as it seems inevitably to be, what a way it could be to go.
Adam Lallana
Another player who has had an awful season with injuries. One problem or another has limited Lallana to a handful of games this season, seldom able to make his mark or maintain the superb form he'd enjoyed last season, a run of performances that had seen him shine as one of England's most important players. That he won't be going to the world cup says everything about how difficult this year has been. But Lallana remains one of the most skilful players at the club and, crucially, one of the best at keeping the ball at his feet and picking a pass. If we need creativity or game intelligence, there are few better players to turn to.
Dominic Solanke
Occasional appearances in the competition as a substitute have given Solanke a taste of the highest stage. A player who has looked so desperately in need of a goal this year despite huge effort and promising contributions finally found one, and a pearler at that, against Brighton to help seal another season in the European Cup. There's no better time to find your touch than two weeks before the biggest game in club football, and his physicality makes him a particularly useful outlet should we need to use him in Kiev. Who knows, maybe in a few years he'll be leading the line in a Champions League final for Liverpool...
Danny Ings
Like Clyne, a welcome return for a hardworking player. A superb attitude to recover from two terrible injuries and put himself in contention for a place in the squad for the CL final, the look on his face as he finally scored at WBA after a two year hiatus was truly joyous. Whether his future is at Anfield or elsewhere, he will chase down any cause, and it would be special to see him with a CL medal after what he has been through.
And those who won't be there...
Joe Gomez
Another season rich in promise for a talented young defender who played in some of our group stage games and against Porto before injury robbed him of any further involvement, and denied him a chance to go to the World Cup after an impressive international debut. A versatile player with his best years ahead of him, and a player Klopp seems to have huge belief in, he'll be a big miss from our squad.
Joel Matip
Part of our first choice centre back pairing when fit, firstly alongside Lovren and later VVD until injury (yes, another one) robbed him of the rest of his season. Certainly someone who might have felt that if things had gone differently they'd be starting in Kiev. A slightly more troubled second season after an impressive debut, but another defender who seemed far more settled with the calming influence of VVD beside him. A big contribution to our campaign and another player we'd be much stronger with were he available.
Marko Grujic
Replaced Mane for 4 minutes away at Hoffenheim. Fair to say his involvement has been peripheral. But a promising spell on loan at Cardiff has given his career a real boost just when it looked like it might be flagging. Who knows if he'll be with us next year, but clearly a player with real potential, whoever gets to benefit from it.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
His first goal in a Liverpool shirt was away at Maribor. His most spectacular was a thunderbolt against Manchester City. Ox firmly established himself in the Liverpool side, all the more so after Coutinho's departure when he more than anyone took on the mantle of linking midfield and attack. A hard working dribbler with an eye for a pass and a good shot (scoring in both the league and CL wins against City at Anfield), his season was cruelly ended by a serious injury in the home leg against Roma. Another player bound for Russia this summer who will now sadly be missing out on a deserved world cup appearance, everyone will be hoping that he bounces back and helps Liverpool to higher heights next season. A hugely promising first season at the club.
Phil Coutinho
He came, he scored a lot of goals from outside the box, he left. His departure (after some rather unpleasant flirting with Barcelona last summer) irked many but his contributions to Liverpool's better days and nights since his arrival 5 years ago have been hugely significant in keeping the club on the right track. Vital goals in the EL run in 2016 and in helping us to qualify for the season's CL, as well as a starring role in our attacking brilliance in the group stages including scoring the only goal in Moscow and, in his final CL appearance for the club, a hat trick in the reverse fixture. Many are still wondering why he didn't want to stay and be a part of this, at least until the summer, but the club have adjusted and adapted in his absence and will continue to do so as with everyone else who moves on. Not a player many will think of if we win tonight, but one who has certainly played an important role on the long and winding path to Kiev.
Daniel Sturridge
Another who's season has ebbed away, it seems odd to think that Sturridge made a number of appearances for us in the group stages and bagged a goal against Maribor. Sturridge's progress has as ever been limited by injuries, and his limitations made all the more stark when compared with the form and function of our front three. After a rather meek (and yet again, injury interrupted) loan for WBA came to nothing, it seems highly likely that Sturridge has played his last game for the club. But how quickly the good times are forgotten - for a while everything he touched was magic, and that dance came out of his locker over and over again. Had he stayed fit, and taken his chances, who knows - he might have made the bench tonight. The only player to score in a European final for Liverpool in the last decade. Good luck, Daniel
